Define “Clean”
It may sound silly, but the first step to creating an effective chore chart is to ensure that everyone doing chores has the same definition of “clean.” Different people may have very different ideas about what it means to clean different areas of the house. If you and a roommate or family member have various opinions about what “clean” is, that can lead to a lot of unwanted disagreement in the home.
Make a List
Once you’ve agreed on what clean means, you can then start making a list of each chore that will need to be done. It’s enough to do this as a group and try to make it as comprehensive as possible. Make sure everyone recognizes that each person in the house is responsible for his or her belongings, bedroom, and private bathroom (if this applies). Then start making a list of chores for everything else. Include both indoor and outdoor chores, and try to be as specific as possible. For example, instead of simply putting “clean the kitchen,” consider listing out the different elements that should be cleaned in the kitchen. This will help reduce confusion and resentment if certain things get disregarded.
Assign Specific Chores
With your list of chores in hand, you can then start assigning tasks to each member of the household. One of the most useful ways to begin is to encourage each person to volunteer to do chores they enjoy. Maybe one roommate hates washing dishes but doesn’t mind vacuuming carpets. Another alternative is to divide tasks up by rooms, and then have each person responsible for cleaning one room each week. This may work for lighter cleaning, but any deep cleaning might be easier to tackle if everyone helps. You can divide up the work in any way that makes sense for you and those living with you, but take care to ensure that it is fair and that each person’s chores are clearly assigned.
Set Deadlines
Part of creating an effective chore chart is to make sure that tasks are being completed in a timely manner. Along with assigning chores, it is important to set deadlines for when each chore should be completed. Doing so will help hold each person accountable for their assigned tasks and ensure that all of the chores are being done regularly.
Follow Up
Ultimately, it’s essential to recognize that no chore chart is perfect right out of the gate. Preferably, co-operating on household chores is a process that will continue to evolve. For this reason, it is important to meet regularly to discuss what’s working and address any problems that may have occurred. Being proactive with your follow-up can help head off arguing or bad feelings that may otherwise result.
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